So, Brooks is doing this #thankyourunning campaign on social media.  It’s kind of cool.  Funny thing is that I’ve had parts of this post sitting in my drafts for a while.  Except I was calling something like Lessons from Running.  Deep right?  Anyways, I figured now would be a good time to dust it off and pretty it up.  So here goes-

Thank you running-

I have discovered so many cool and scenic places that I never would have seen without a pair of running shoes on my feet.   And you know where most of them are?  Right in my own backyard.    At most a short drive and I can just take in the view.   Mountains, ocean, dirt and asphalt, all are within reach.    All very run-able.    All awesome.  Thank you running for showing me the view. 

Thank you running-

For reminding me I can do hard things.  I’ve been a procrastinator all my life.   Sometimes I think it’s because I work better under pressure.  Mostly though it’s that I’m just lazy.    My second race ever was a half marathon.  I crossed the finish line in pain and exhausted but damn proud that I committed to a goal I had made on a street corner on a cold morning in January.    As I stood there spectating and seeing the people running Surf City, I told myself that I wanted to do that.  I wasn’t sure if I could but I was going to try.     I crossed of the finish line of Wine Country half in April.  I was in pain, exhausted and damn proud that I had followed through.    Later on one friend commented that they were surprised that I had both completed the race and stuck (sort of) to a training plan.   Thank you running for showing me that I can.

Thank you running-

For letting me be comfortable by myself.     I dislike crowds but hated being by myself.  I always felt so needy and worried that I was going to be left behind.    I’m not even sure who was doing the leaving but it made me anxious.   Running was something I had to start on my own, no one was pushing me out the door, no one was meeting me out there.  Running can involve spending a whole lot of time getting to know yourself and suddenly you realize your own bullshit and that it’s time to move on.  Not saying everything’s awesome now but I have a better acceptance for who I am and I am fine on my own.   I love my friends but thank you running for helping me like myself.

Thank you running-

I have become a little less of a germ-a-phobe.  Seriously it was borderline OCD.    My hand washing alone would drive  my mother crazy when she observed it.    I’ve had GI issues for years but a port-a-potty or gas station bathroom?  Oh hell no.   I admit my first trail bathroom scared the hell out of me.    As we all know, when running we have to take what we can get.  Right?  😃   Along those same lines- I never left the house in anything that resembled exercise clothes- I had to be in jeans or a dress.  There was no other option.  Period.  Now?  5 mile run? Why not run errands after?  Just throw a sweater on.  Thank you running for making me get over myself. 

Thank you running-

For giving me some truly odd music taste.    It wasn’t too long after I started running that I discovered I have a hard time running to rock music.  My cadence kept getting thrown off by the bass line.   Enter some truly annoying pop.   Think I’m kidding?  I ran yesterday’s intervals to “Gotta Be Me”- it’s a Disney channel song.    All laughing aside- there is no way you can run slowly to that song.   Which is the point.  I dare you to try it.    So thank you running for making me laugh even if it’s at myself. 

Thank you running-

For calming me down.  Seriously, I have a short fuse.    I could stay mad and resentful for eons.  Little things would piss me off.    The string of words I could put together would make a trucker blush.   While I think commuting has  also helped; running has gone a long way to calming me down.  It takes a lot to make me mad these days.    Thank you running for making me less “Hulk” like. 

Thank you running-

For you!!!!!  Without running, I never would have started reading blogs, never would have started this blog or “met” all of you.  Seriously you all rock.  I love reading about your adventures- running and non running.   You’re all real and inspirational and amazing.   Thank you running for expanding my circle.

I could probably go on for so many more things but I’ll leave it here.  😄

What do you thank running for?